Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met in Calgary, Alberta, on Thursday, September 10, 2026, to announce a series of defense and economic agreements. The leaders unveiled a plan for Canada to produce millions of drones over the next two years, with one-third of the total production allocated to Ukraine's defense against the Russian invasion. Carney also announced approximately $350 million to provide air defense interceptors and over $600 million in combined loan guarantees and concessional loans to support Ukraine's energy security and reconstruction.
The meeting occurred as Ukraine faces intensified Russian aerial attacks on its power grid ahead of the winter season. According to Ukrainian officials, Russian forces launched 149 drones at Ukraine overnight leading into Thursday, while Russian officials reported shooting down 448 Ukrainian drones over the same period. The Canadian government stated it has awarded initial contracts worth up to $50 million to tenfold the number of drones currently deployed by the Canadian Armed Forces as the first step in scaling domestic production.
During the visit, the two nations signed the Canada-Ukraine Declaration for a 100-Year Partnership, which establishes a roadmap for long-term cooperation in defense innovation, trade, and technology. Zelenskyy stated that while negotiations with Russia would eventually occur, Ukraine must enter them from a position of strength to ensure a "strong and lasting peace." Prime Minister Carney noted that Canada’s total commitments to Ukraine have reached over $26 billion since the full-scale invasion began in 2022.
For Canadians, the expansion of the domestic drone industry involves contracts with at least six companies across Quebec, New Brunswick, Ontario, and Saskatchewan. The Prime Minister’s Office stated that the initiative is expected to support hundreds of jobs in skilled trades, engineering, and computer science. The creation of the Defence Drone Initiative Marketplace (DDIM) will connect nearly 400 Canadian suppliers to a national digital marketplace, modeled after Ukraine’s Brave1 system. The government reported that it moved from the launch of this initiative in July 2026 to the first contracts in 50 days, setting a precedent for rapid military procurement cycles in Canada.
The next steps involve the delivery of air defense interceptors through the U.S.-led JUMPSTART mechanism and the implementation of $200 million in concessional loans through Export Development Canada for reconstruction projects. These funds will allow Canadian firms to participate directly in repairing Ukrainian infrastructure. Additionally, Canada announced new sanctions against eight individuals accused of violating the rights of Ukrainian children. While Washington-brokered talks between Moscow and Kyiv are expected to continue, Canadian officials emphasized that future peace must be supported by military deterrence.